Controller mechanism for turbines.



No. 814,756. PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906.

' J. WILKINSON.

CONTROLLER MECHANISM FOR TURBINES.

1 APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 20, 1905.

4 SHEETSSHBET 1.

WITNESSES; INVENTUR fizba y v 7 (/0/7766 lV/Zfihaon romvsr' No. 814,756. PATENTED MARJ13, 1906. I J. WILKINSON.

CONTROLLER MECHANISM FOR TURBINBS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN; 20. 1905,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 v (mum J01- L/a/maf 144762760 39% "zoom No. 814,756. PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906.

J. WILKINSON. CONTROLLER MECHANISM FOR TURBINES.

APPLICATION FILED 3111.20. 1905.

4 SHEET$-$HBET 3 TTOR/VEY 116,814,756. PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906.

J. WILKINSON. CONTROLLER MEGHANISM'FOR TURBINES.

APPLICATION FILED 1111,20, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WILKINSON, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR TO WILKIN- SON TURBINE COMPANY A CORPORATION OF ALABAMA.

CONTHOLLER MECHANISM FORTURBI'NES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed Tannery 20, 1905. Serial No. 241,971:

Patented March 13 1906.

'10 alt whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JAMEs WILKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Birmiriglham, in the county of Jefferson and State of abtmajhave invented new and useful Improvements in Controller Mechanism for Turbines, of which the following is a specifi cation. 1

My invention relates to elastic-fluid turbines, and has for its object to provide an improved governing mechanism which will ef feet in a simple and comparatively inexpensive manner the successive operation of a plurality of turbine-valves, which means may e actuated by a speed-governor or any other type of sired.

In its broadest aspect my invention comgovernor or by hand, as may be deprises a number of reciprocatory valves moved by a common actuator and so designed or connected to said actuator as to act in succession to effect the closing or opening of the ports or passages or nozzles under their control. For turbines of small powers the valves operated by a common actuator may serve to directly open and close the motor-fluid-L supply nozzles or passages, and it is my intention to cover this adaptation of my inven-.

' tion in connection with its illustrated form,

wherein the' several valves constitute secondary or relay controller-valves, which by flu1dpressure means effect the operation of the turbine-nozzle valves.

More specificall my present invention comprises a plum ity of reciprocatory slide: valves which are shown of different conformation and adjustably connected to an actuator-bar which gives them a synchronous and substantially equal travel, throughout which they act in succession to open ports which admit controller fluid-pressure to motors for operating turbine-valves. Though thevalvos are shown of relatively different conformation, it is obvious that they may be adapted to produce the same successive governing action even where they are all similar in con struction by adjustably connecting them to 1 the actuator-bar, so that they may be set at different distances from the actuator-rod,'and Such a construction is intended to be covered by this application. The valves may be made to 0 en or. cause to be opened the ports or no eswhich they contro simultaneously or in groups successively or at any desired time may be connected up so that they can bemoved simultaneousl by a governor or b hand or independent as may be desire According to this arrangement any desired relative operation of the valves for the successive stages may be effected by the proper arrangement orconstruction of the several sets of valves or the connections between actuator-bars,- and I amenabled to secure not only an independent control of th supply of motor-fluid to each stage, but also a simultaneous control of the working passage for the motor fluid across stages by means of which I may vary the working passage to produce different speedsin accordance with the principles set out in Letters Patent N 0. 766,922 issued to'me August 9, 1904. The valves may be arranged in one or more sets for each stage, and the actuator-bars for each set may be connected up in an desired manner or independently operate or, if desired, the controller-valves for the supply-valves may also control the operation of the stagevalves in any desired manner.

My invention further comprises the construction and arrangement of parts more fully described and claimed hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to a multiple-stage turbine of large power.

igure 1 ofthe drawings-illustrates'a side elevation of'a vertical twostage-turbine driving an electricgenerator and provided with a governoractuated valve controlling mechanism in accordance with a preierred form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial .vertical sectional view of. the turbine, shown enlarged and illustrating a working-passage across stages with the controlling devices therefor. Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of a diaphragm, illustrating a fluid-pressure-controlling means for the stage-valves. Fig. 4 is a section along the line no as, Fig. 2, illustrating the construction of conduits for the controller fluid-pressure. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a stagevnozzle, taken longitudinally-of the noztion in any desiredmanner.

zle-passage, which here cooperates with a single row of buckets. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 represent. respectively, a top plan view and vertical sectional views taken-along longitudivalve-controller casing. Fig. 9 is a detail \'H\\' of the connection between a controller- 'valve for the initial stage and its actuating- 1 lever.

Similar reference-numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

1 have illustrated my Invention applied to a compound impact-turbine of the vertical that the latter will strengthen the diaphragm. without materially increasing its weight.

.I'Ieretofore I have illustrated diaphragms with annular peripheral shoulders. It is, nal and transverse planes through the st'agetype having a supply-head l, a dia'phragm i partition '3, and an exhaust-head 3, all of which are peripherally flanged and to form the inner casing of the turbine. These parts are held in place by an inclosing interlock l ternal pressure strain.

ugs, d1

lrame -l. having-suitable abutments which engage the ltttttl-stt'tlUhS. one of the abutments being detachable. This frame is mounted upon an exhaust-casing 5, having a port (5 leading to the atmosphere or condenser and having connected thereto a i T, withii'rwhich the vertical shaft 8 of the turbine is mounted and preferably floated upon oil 'under high pressure. wheel or rotor.) is disposed within each stagecompartment of the turbine and keyed to shal't S. having peripheral buckets 1'0 arranged in one or more parallel rows and disposed m ahnement with the supply-nozzles ll and the stage-nozzles ii.

A bucket however, to be understood that the valve and turbine construction may be varied, as it does not form an essential part of my present invention, which relates more particularly. to

an improved mechanism for controlling the operation of turbine-valves generally.

My controller mechanism comprises a supply-valve -controller casing '24, mounted uponthe head i, and a stage-valve controller casing 25, connected by screws to the inner turbine-casing, the outer frame having ample strength in its webs to withstand all in The controller casll'ering only in the arrangement of the actuator-bars, can both be described by ref erence to Figs. 6 'to is. I have here illustrated live slide-valves 26 tor-each casing, which are preferably cylindrical in form and provided with a reduced intermediate portion '27.

bearing-box The admission of motor fluid to the bowls 13 of these nozzles is controlled by piston actuated puppetvalves l -l. \Vhen two or more rows of buckets are carried by each bucket-wheel, a row of stationary intermediates-15. as shown in Fig. 2-, will be disposed between the rows ol revolving buckets in each stage, the inter- I mediates being formed and secured in posi- The supply-valves are disposed in c-hambers 16 m the supply-head, which serve as cylinders for thealve-actuating pistons 17.

By-passages to admit pressure from the sup- The cylinders for provide the casings with a valve-chamber for each valve. which chambers as a preferred construction lead entirely through that part of the casings which serves as a compound valve-chest. The 'alves when in position extend through the valve-chests,being surrounded by suitable packing-glands .28, which are preferably screwed-into the enlarged ends of each valve-chan'iber. Each valve-chantber isenlarged at or near its central portion-- to form what I term a pressure-controller chamber 2%) and is also enlarged at points above and below thesaid ct ntrollerschamber to form a low-pressure chamber 30 and a high-pressure chamber 31 on each side of the (U11't1'()ll(I'-('llttll1l)t1'. An exhaust-passage 32 leads longitudimilly through each casing and communicates through by-pa-ssage's with each low-prcssure chamber 30, a pipe 34 conducting the exhaust lltlltl lt the atmosphere or condcnsta or toany other point where it may be further utilized ii desired. In a similar manner a passage 35 supplies fluid-pressure admitted by a supply-pipe 37 from any suitable source to the pressure-'chambers 31 through lrv-passagesSG. The valves are so constructed that without at any time establishing a direct communication between their respective high and low pressure chambers 5 3t) and 31 they act to maintain one or the periphery of the diaphragm. The motor the plugs 21 through a plurality of passages 23, formed in the plugs, in which the piston- 1 cylinders are also formed by chambers opening into the valve-chambers The pressure in the-stage-valve chambers acts against the valve-pistons and tends to open the stagenozzles 1'3. I preferably mount the stagcvalves in shoulders, as shown, as I consider i For the purpose other of said chambers in communication with their pressure-controller chambers 29. Thus either a high pressure is admitted. to the latter chambers or pressure is exhausted therefrom, the reduced portion of the valve being designed to cut oil' the exhaust as it admits pressure,. and vice versa. In other words, as theupper body portion of a valve opens the port between chambers 29 and 30 the lower body portion closes the port between the tormer chamber and chamber Ill. of balancing the valves these several chambers I are made circular. Obviously the cont nued travel of the valves This successive or variable valve action may beobtained the use of a-group" of valves of different conformation, their reduced portions 27 being at relatively different distances from. their lower ends, so that as the valves are moved downwardly together. they will act in succession to establish a high pressure in their respective controllerchambers and as they are raised to successively exhaust the pressure from these chambers. s In the drawings 1 havecombined these two arrangements, the controller-valves 26 for the stage-valves being shown in Fig. 7 with their reduced portions stepped and also swivelly connected to threaded eyebolts 38, which pass through a common actuator-bar 39, being connected thereto by a pair of nuts By turning the valves to the right or left they may be set at any desired adjustment relative totheir actuatorbar 39, which is journaled in two crank-arms 41, keyed to a rock-shaft 42, mounted'in two lugs or ears 43, carried by the controller-casing. A lever 44 for moving theactuator-bar 39 through these connections is keyed to the shaft near its center. I The valves controlling the turbine-supply valves are connected direct to the' curved actuating-lever 45, which is swivelly connect- .ed to a standard 46, mounted upon the supply-head 1. In this latter instance the eyebolts 38 are connected to swivel-heads 47 having integral studs 48,- which pass through the openings in'the side of the lever and ar.e held in place thereon by nuts 49. It is evident that according to this latter arrangement thelever to' which the valves are connected will give them a relatively varying travelj but this is co1nparativel small and may be either utilized or ofi'set, according to the adjustment or construction of the valves.

To utilize the pressure in the several controller-chambers 29 to control the operation.

troller-casing', where in the case of the supof the valves, I provide passages 50, leading from said chambers to the side of the conply-valves they connect with pipes 51, which lead around the head to the upper ends of one or more of the chambers 16. When the high pressure is introduced above the supply-valve pistons and the valves are substantially balanced, the springs 20 will then seat each valve; In the case of the stage-valves the passages 50 register with the conduits 52, formed in the outer periphery of the diaphragm, in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and '4, channeled strips 53 being inserted one above the other in two grooves. The channels in these strips register with the passages 50 and also with passages 54, bored inwardly through the shoulders in the diaphragm and the screw-plugs 21 therein and entering the upper beveled ends of the stage-valve cylinders. The -controller-pressure will be superior to the stage-pressure below the valves,

. and they will close without the use ofsprings.

As shown, one of these passages 50 communicates directly with a passage54, and it will be noted that the several strips lead in opposite directions around the diaphragm. 'As many of these strips may be inserted in the grooves as desired, and also each channel thusformed may communicate with one or more valve-cylinders, or it may communicate with cylinders for succeeding stage cylinders in the manner shown in my Letters Patent No. 761,866. supply-valves may be dispensed with and channels-formed in the supply-head in the manner shown in my Letters. Patent aforesaid. It will be understood, however, that communication between the several controller-chambers and the several cylinders for the turbine-valves may be eilected in any desired manner, that shown being merely apreferred construction.

. The levenarms 44 and 45, controlling the I operation for the setsof supply and stage controller-valves, are shown swivelly connected .toeach other by a link 55 and by a link 56 to a bell-crank lever 57, mounted on the generator-casing 58. This lever by means of a link 59 is connected to a lever 60, which is connected toand operated by any desired form of speed-governor driven from the tur-' bine-shaft. The governor is disposed within the casing 61, and the lever 60 is pivotally connected to a stud 62, integral with said casing. According to thisarran tuators for the valves contrdlling both the sup'ly and stage valves will be simultaneousy moved by a common governor. To secure any desired relative action of the supply and stage valves, I havcshown the link 55 connecting the outer ends of their actuator-levers as an adjustable connection; It is obvious, however, that these levers may h independently operated by hand or by fluidpressure under theco'ntrol of a governor,

It is also contemplated in my present in-' If desired, the pipes 51 for the too gement the achaving independent actuators and also that by disconnecting link 55 the governor may be utilized to control the supply to the turbine, while the flow of fluid between stages is manually controlled. It is further contemplated in my present invention to increase the number of sta es and to use bucket-wheels, as

shown in ig. 5, in which case I may use a separate controller-casing for each stage, or

I claim as new, and desire to protect by Let ters Patent, is-

1. Ina governing mechanism for turbines, the combination of a number offiuid-controlled valves for varying the flow of motor fluid through nozzle-passages against rotatable elements, a number of secondary valves operating on the controller fluid for said nozzle-valves to open or close them, and a common actuator for said secondary valves which brings them successively into position where they efl'ect the opening or closing of said nozzle valve or valves under their control.

2. In a governing mechanism for turbines, the combination of a number of valves for varying theflow of motor fluid through independent nozzle-passages, fluid-motors for operating said valves, separate conduits for admitting controller fluid to said motors, separate valves controlling the admission of fluid to said conduits, and a governor-shifted actuator common to a group of said latter valves and adapted to move them so as to eflect a successive opening or closing of said nozzlevalves. I

3. In a governing mechanism for turbines, a number of nozzles through which motor fluid flows against rotatable elements, separate piston-actuated valves for said nozzlepassages, cylinders for said pistons to which the motor fluid is admitted and acts on said pistons to open said valves, conduits to admit an opposing fluid-pressure to said cylin-. ders, secondary valves controlling the admission of fluid to said conduits, and a governor-shifted actuator common to a group of said secondary valves and adapted to move therrr's o as to successively admit dr exhaust fluid from said conduits.

4; In a controller mechanism for a turbine,

the combination of a plurality of valves controlling the flow of motor fluid through the turbine, rotatable buckets driven by said motor fluid, and a common actuator to which said valves are swivelly connected, substantially as described.

5. In a controller mechanism for a turbine, the combination of a plurality of fluid-actuated valves controlling the flow of motor fluid through nozzle-passages, a plurality of secondary valves which control by fluid-pressure means the operation of said nozzlevalves, and a common actuator for said secondary valves which are of relatively dilierent' conformation, as and for the purposes described.

6. In a controller mechanism for a turbine, thecombination of a plurality of controllervalves, a traveling member to which said valves are directly connected and by means of which they are simultaneously moved and orts for said valves which are opened at dif terent times during a synchronous movement of the valves, the opening and closing of said ports eiiecting by fluid-pressure means the opening and closing of turbine-nozzles, substantially as described.

7. In a controller mechanism for turbines, a plurality of nozzles, piston-operated valves therefor, and a controlling mechanism for said valves comprising a group of secondary valves, conduits adapted to be successively opened and closed by said valves which admit an actuating fluid to the piston-operated which a group of said secondary valves are adjustably connected and by means of which they are moved synchronously and brought successively into position where they open or close the conduits under their control.

8. In a controller mechanism for turbines, the combination of a plurality of fluid-controlled nozzle-valves for varying the admission of motor fluid to the turbine, a plurality of slide-valvesof relatively varying conformation, an actuator to which said slide-valves are adjustably connected, and means to move said slide-valves to effect, by fluid-pressure under their control, the opening and closing of turbine-nozzle valves.

9. In a controller mechanism for a turbine, a controller-casing comprising a plurality of valve chambers, a plurality of controllervalves adapted to successively admit a high or low pressure to said chambers, valves controlling turbine-nozzles which are opened and closed under the control of the pressure in said chambers, and an actuator device by which all or a group of said controller-valves are connected and synchronously moved, said valves being adapted to open and close their respective ports in any desired manner.

10. In a controller mechanism for a turbine, a plurality of supply-nozzles for a wheelcompartment, valve means to open and close said nozzles, and a set of secondary valves controlling said valve means, a pivoted actuator member to which said secondary valves are pivotally connected, substantially as described.

i 11. In a controller mechanism for a turbine having a plurality of supply-valves, a i plurality of seeondarv valves cont rolling said valves, and a governor-shifted actuator to" scribed.

'nect said bine, a plurality of valves secondary valves, and means to swlvelly conmember,

substantially as described. 12. In

a controller mechanism for a turfor controlling the flow of motor fluid through nozzle-passages,

an actuator-bar for said valves, and means.

to swivelly connect each of sald valves to said b ar, substantiallv as de- 13. In a controller mechanism for a turbine, the combination of a plurality of valves controlling the flow of motor fluid through nozzle-passages, an actuator-bar for a number of said valves, eyebolts to which said valves are ivotally'connected, and means actuator-bar.

" 14. In a controller to adjustab v connect said eyebolts to said menanlsm for a turbine, a number of secondary controller-valves utilizing a relay power to actuateturbinevalves, a controller-casing for said secondary valves, a chamber foreach valve, and ports which are opened and closed by said valves for admitting to said chamber a high or;exhaust pressure, conduits to said chamber-pressure to control the operaves, and a'common ary valves are simultaneously adjusted, substantially as described; 15. In a controller mechanism for a turbine, a controller-casing ity of valve-chambers, ports for admitting a high and a low pressure 'to said chamber, and

slide-valves having reduced portions which operation of said secondary valves.

l6. In a controller mechanism for a turbine, a controller-casing, aplurality of elongated valve-chambers therein, ports to admit a high and a low pressure to said cham' hers, elongated slide-valvesin said chambers Winch perform their controlling function of openin or closing-one or I'Iic'ating by by-passa pressure-passages, sai

secondary valves t'o said actuator communicate tial supply-nozzles,

comprising a plural-- to sa d governor.

casing and;.commu-' sures, a plurality of valve-chambers commu- I eswith each of said chambers being e11 v p troller-cham'bers and one or the other of said ports, a common actuator for a plurality of said slide-valves and-passages to conduct the controller-chamber ressure 'to'efiect the opening and-closing of turbine-nozzles.

. a controller mechanism for turbines, a controllercasing having a valve-chambers leading entirely through the casing, slide-valves disposed in said chambers, packing means for said valves at each end of said chambers, said valves acting to control the admission of motor fluid to turbinenozzles, and means to actuate said valves, substantially asdescribed. I p 19. 'In a multiple-stage turbine, a plurality of controller-valves for the turbine-valves controlling the supply of motor fluid toeach stage, a separate actuator for the controllervalves for each stage whereby said valves are moved together and substantially uniformly and act to effect a successive opening of the turbine-nozzles, means to move said actuators simultaneously to control the flow of uid across stages, substantially as described. 20. In a controller mechanism for multiple stage turbines, a groupof controller-valves to regulate the admission of. motor fluid to inia common actuator for a group of said valves, a group of secondar valves. controlling admission of 'motor fluid to a succeeding stage, a common actuator for a group of sald valves, an adjustable connection between said actuators, and a governor for moving said, actuators simultaneously.

21. Ina multiple-stage turbine, a group of controlling'admission of pres ure to 'each stage, a separate actuator for aplurality of valves for each stage, a go'vernor, and means to couple up said actuators 22. In a multiple-stage turbine an inner casing, an outer frame disposed about the in ner casing to,hold the same together, -controller mech testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribingwvitnesses.

JAMES WILKINSONQ; Witnesses-z R. D. JoHNsroN, N mm; WELsH,

said pressure-ports. to form plurality of IIO 

